The Best US Cities in Florida and Beyond for a Haunted Night Out This Halloween

*This is a collaborative guest post

Are you planning on visiting the US this Halloween season? There are many cities that offer both thriving nightlife and spooky vibes. There’s nothing like visiting local haunts after having a few drinks! Here are the spookiest US cities for a night out this Halloween. 

Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale is usually still sunny and warm during November, making it the perfect getaway destination if you’re tired of the chilly London weather and want to bask on the beach. The Fort Lauderdale Strip features some of the city’s best nightclubs and bars, along with five-star restaurants and an active street scene. 

Lucky’s Tavern, in the Historic Himmarshee District of Ft. Lauderdale, is one spooky haunt you can’t miss when in Ft. Lauderdale. Formerly known as the Coyote Ugly Saloon, this place has gained its haunted reputation after a local gangster was shot dead in front of it in the 1920s. The Home of the Three-Legged Dog, as it is also called, is in close proximity to over a dozen other bars and clubs, as well as an iMax Theatre, making it a great launch spot for your pub crawl. 

Miami

Miami is the top destination in the US to go to if you want a glitzy, dazzling nightlife scene. A city that never sleeps, Miami’s party scene is alive and thriving 24/7. Although a night out in Miami can really hurt your wallet, it’s worth experiencing it at least once. There’s a strong Latin influence on the nightlife in Miami, and you can find reggaeton, salsa, and any other flavor of Latin music. 

It’s also a great place to go if you’re single and looking to mingle. Whether you are going alone, with friends, or with your partner, Miami’s nightlife also has a spookier side. 

The first stop on your night out in Miami this Halloween season should be Onyx Bar at the Villa Casa Casuarina. This building used to be a mansion that belonged to one of Miami’s most famous icons of the time, designer Gianni Versace, who was slain on its steps in 1997. The brutal murder of the founder of the renowned fashion brand Versace shocked the city and the world at the time. 

Next, visit the Tropezon Bar on Española Way. The area surrounding it became famous as the center of Al Capone’s gambling empire and criminal enterprise, frequented by gangsters such as his son, Sonny Capone, and other wise guys. 

Jacksonville

If you’re a fan of natural parks, you will love Jacksonville. It has the largest urban park system in the entire US! Over 80,000 acres of parkland are spread out over Jacksonville’s parks, including two National parks and seven state parks. 

It is also the most populous city in Florida, so there’s always something going on. From craft breweries to artsy events, Jacksonville has it all. And, of course, there are the stunning beaches, which tend to be less packed and crowded compared to Miami’s beaches. 

Jacksonville has no shortage of haunted hangout spots, either. A good place to start your haunted night out is at The Ritz, a 1945-era cocktail lounge. Head there at happy hour to take advantage of its amazing deals. The taxidermy animal heads give this place an eerie vibe, and depending on how much alcohol you imbibed, they may seem to be alive at times. 

The Florida Theatre in downtown Jacksonville, which opened in 1927, is said to be haunted by unknown spirits. Locals tell of heart-stopping stories such as chairs creaking at night without anybody sitting in them. Others report hearing an organ playing at night when the theater is supposed to be closed, presumably by a former organist who returns to find some solace for his soul. 

Annapolis

Kick off your Annapolis haunted pub crawl with a visit to Middletown Tavern, opened in 1750 by Horatio Middleton. It provided lodging to American legends such as George Washington and Benjamin Franklin. Locals have reported seeing chairs being kicked at night, probably by one of the spirits that has decided to claim this haunt as their own. 

The Maryland Hotel, which has the claim to fame of being America’s oldest continually operating hotel, is another spooky joint in Jacksonville. It’s reportedly haunted by a spirit known as “The Bride,” the ghost of a bride who witnessed her husband’s death on the very day of their wedding. The smell of tobacco smoke, without any identifiable source, lingers in the hotel, surprising and frightening guests. 

Some people feel like Halloween is incomplete without a chill in the air, and if you’re one of those people, a visit to Annapolis on Halloween is well worth it. It’s chilly but not overwhelmingly cold – take an extra jacket or hoodie with you! 

Gettysburg

Another US city where you can feel the spirit of Halloween is Gettysburg. If you love nature, you’ll love Gettysburg, a city surrounded by beautiful countryside. 

Many tourists flock to Gettysburg to see some of the most iconic US tourist attractions from the Civil War era. From Little Round Top to Cemetery Ridge, Gettysburg has more Civil War attractions than you could visit in a single day. 

With so much blood soaked in its earth, it’s no surprise that Gettysburg is known as one of America’s most haunted destinations, with the souls of poor soldiers lingering in the area so many years later. 

Visit the haunted Brickhouse Inn and down some drinks at the Dobbin House Tavern just one block down, which features an aesthetically pleasing yet spooky basement bar. The historic Welty House is another of Gettysburg’s most famous haunts. It is built on land that was the site of one of the most gruesome battles Gettysburg has ever seen.